apparently in the 30s depression era iowa, the town of spencer nearly burnt to the ground over a box of fireworks that was lit accidentally. in response the iowa legislature acted to halt fireworks. at that time, the area had been in continual drought for years, there was no water or money, and to be honest it might have been a measure for temporary adoption. after all, we issue burn bans when the risk is severe that we'll torch a neighborhood or worse.

that said, the knee jerk reaction that leads to permanent bans of something that posed temporary problems, are no more prudent now than then... we trust people to pump billions of gallons of gas around iowa, start their own camp fires, burn their own leaves, etc. so the bullshit response about burning themselves or working with combustibles is total bunk. time somebody pulled heads from ass on this one...

You can shoot off fireworks if you get approval from the supervising agency, example around here, if you live out in the county (not in city limits), people will go to our county supervisors to get an OK to shoot off fireworks. We have the paperwork in our office showing who and when they will be lighting them off.

Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth - George Washington

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism - George Washington

Originally Posted By Coltgunner:You can shoot off fireworks if you get approval from the supervising agency, example around here, if you live out in the county (not in city limits), people will go to our county supervisors to get an OK to shoot off fireworks. We have the paperwork in our office showing who and when they will be lighting them off.

people actually do that? around here most folks just light em up and deny everything when someone comes around for a look.

When I was a kid (14) an officer confiscated about 4 pounds of assorted fireworks from me I got from a trip my brother made through Missouri.
The guy really let me have it threatening to toss me in the clink and tried to scare the crap out of me. I was relieved that all he did was take my fireworks...
He went on his way with my joy and left me with a severe warning.
Two nights later he really put on a show with my fireworks from his backyard (he lived down the block from me)
I remember the whole block gathered around his house cheering the show (I had bottle rockets, roman candles, screamers, etc etc.. Show lasted about 20 mins..
later that week he tried to figure out how come his swing set was re-assembled backwards with red locktite..
I'll never forget that jackass..
If for some reason you're in this forum and reading this, It may be 30 years later but you still owe me my fireworks dooshbag..

Originally Posted By SeviceXDShooter:
As probably most of you know fireworks are legal to own in Iowa just not to "use"...
discuss.....

Originally Posted By SeviceXDShooter:When I was a kid (14) an officer confiscated about 4 pounds of assorted fireworks from me I got from a trip my brother made through Missouri.
The guy really let me have it threatening to toss me in the clink and tried to scare the crap out of me. I was relieved that all he did was take my fireworks...

Apparently, he didn't know that it was legal to own them. Why is there so much fear of "going over the line" to get them??

Originally Posted By SeviceXDShooter:
As probably most of you know fireworks are legal to own in Iowa just not to "use"...
discuss.....

Originally Posted By SeviceXDShooter:When I was a kid (14) an officer confiscated about 4 pounds of assorted fireworks from me I got from a trip my brother made through Missouri.
The guy really let me have it threatening to toss me in the clink and tried to scare the crap out of me. I was relieved that all he did was take my fireworks...

Apparently, he didn't know that it was legal to own them. Why is there so much fear of "going over the line" to get them??

I don't have a fear. I buy them every year and set them off at the family farm.

"The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." -- (Thomas Jefferson)

727.2 FIREWORKS.
1. The term "fireworks" includes any explosive composition,
or combination of explosive substances, or article prepared for the
purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion,
explosion, deflagration, or detonation, and includes blank
cartridges, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, or
other fireworks of like construction and fireworks containing any
explosive or flammable compound, or other device containing any
explosive substance. The term "fireworks" does not include
goldstar-producing sparklers on wires which contain no magnesium or
chlorate or perchlorate, flitter sparklers in paper tubes that do not
exceed one-eighth of an inch in diameter, toy snakes which contain no
mercury, or caps used in cap pistols.
2. A person, firm, partnership, or corporation who offers for
sale, exposes for sale, sells at retail, or uses or explodes any
fireworks, commits a simple misdemeanor. In addition to any other
penalties, the punishment imposed for a violation of this section
shall include assessment of a fine of not less than two hundred fifty
dollars. However, the council of a city or a county board of
supervisors may, upon application in writing, grant a permit for the
display of fireworks by municipalities, fair associations, amusement
parks, and other organizations or groups of individuals approved by
the city or the county board of supervisors when the fireworks
display will be handled by a competent operator, but no such permit
shall be required for the display of fireworks at the Iowa state
fairgrounds by the Iowa state fair board, at incorporated county
fairs, or at district fairs receiving state aid. Sales of fireworks
for such display may be made for that purpose only.
3. a. This section does not prohibit the sale by a resident,
dealer, manufacturer, or jobber of such fireworks as are not
prohibited by this section, or the sale of any kind of fireworks if
they are to be shipped out of the state, or the sale or use of blank
cartridges for a show or the theater, or for signal purposes in
athletic sports or by railroads or trucks, for signal purposes, or by
a recognized military organization.
b. This section does not apply to any substance or
composition prepared and sold for medicinal or fumigation purposes.

"" Perhaps it’s time to change Iowa’s fireworks law. Other states have done so. Rhode Island recently passed legislation allowing consumer fireworks. So did Michigan, at least partly because neighboring states allowed fireworks, and they were sending money out of state. ""

Originally Posted By wantone:"" Perhaps it’s time to change Iowa’s fireworks law. Other states have done so. Rhode Island recently passed legislation allowing consumer fireworks. So did Michigan, at least partly because neighboring states allowed fireworks, and they were sending money out of state. ""

Talk about sending money out of state, the first town south of the border here on I35 - Eagleville - has a population of about 300 and four large fireworks stores. Fireworks are probably a good chunk of that town's jobs.